Saturday, August 27, 2016

CORTLAND'S 1892-93 ARMORY BUILDING

Cortland’s 1892-93 Armory Building.

The Peck
Bros. building, shown in the below photograph in Grip’s Historical Souvenir of Cortland, was the old Cortland Armory. Our research indicates that it was built
in the 1880’s and named the Mammoth Roller-Skating Rink. When the roller-skating
craze faded in Cortland, the building was used for exhibits, foot races, storage and other purposes.
Later it was acquired by the 45th Separate Company.

“Peck Bros, started in business on Feb. 1,
1896, when they opened the store at 97 Main street, together with a store house
in the rear for the sale of agricultural machinery, implements, wagons, sleighs,
horse furnishing goods and farmers' supplies. In 1897 they started a lumber
business and on April 1, 1899, they took possession of the armory on Main
street. This building encloses a space 80 x 220 feet which they have cut up
into two departments, viz.: The horse furnishing goods, manufactory and ware
rooms, which together with the office, occupies a space 30 x 60 feet, and the
display rooms for implements, machinery and vehicles occupying the rest of this
large sized building. In the rear of the armory they have established the lumber
business. The firm comprises M. J. and L. W. Peck, both of whom are natives of
Solon, Cortland county.” —Grip’s Historical
Souvenir of Cortland, 1899.

The armory (unnumbered) can be recognized on
the 1894 map. [Use the cursor to move the map left or right.] Number 21 was the carriage repair building of E. A. McGraw at 137
Main Street, north of the armory building. Number 59 is the Cortland
Standard block; number 36 was the Squire’s block and old clock-tower; number 32
was the Messenger House and number 46 was W. W. Brown’s harness making business across the street from the armory.